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The Digital Translator/LPTV Transition is Underway!
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Roads to digital conversion
Station construction
Up and running
The DTV TransitionThe DTV Transition
1987
Broadcast industry petitions for advanced TV service
1997/98
DTV channel allotments service rules, first licensed station
2006
Original transition end date (if at least 85% DTV penetration)
2/17/09
Modified transition end date; analog TV shut-off
1566 DTV Stations On Air (3/06)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
DTV Stations on AirDTV Stations on Air Source: FCC Video Div. March 2006Source: FCC Video Div. March 2006
Category # Stations On the Air
#DTV Channels
% On Air
Top 30 Market Net Affl
119
119
100%
Other Commer
1109 1230 90%
NCE 338 373 91%
Total 1566 1722 91%
*
* Total includes single-channel DTV operations
DTV Regulatory DevelopmentsDTV Regulatory Developments
Our FCC Home
Receivers with ATSC tuners
Analog allotment table
All digital allotment table
DTV channel election
Distributed transmission systems
DTV, digital Class A & digital LPTV added to emergency alert system (December 31, 2006)
> 99% of stations have tentative channel designation
Distributed Transmission System Distributed Transmission System Single Frequency NetworkSingle Frequency Network
Digital Service Contour
SOURCE
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in MB Docket No. 05-312 DTS for translators, LPTV & Class A TV ?
On-channel DTV boosters?
WWW.DTV.GOV
Translators heading to the digital frontier
Roads to Digital Conversion
Translator operators heading to the digital frontier
Flash Cut
Companion Channel
Detour - D/A Converter Box
To Digital Transition’s End
Roads to Digital Transition’s End
F LASH C U T
45
Analog
F LASH C U T
45
Digital
On-channel Digital Conversion On-channel Digital Conversion (“Flash-cut”)(“Flash-cut”)
Minor change application (No filing fee)Minor change application (No filing fee)– Ordinarily, may file at any time, BUTOrdinarily, may file at any time, BUT– May not file until after conclusion of digital May not file until after conclusion of digital
companion channel window (6:00 pm June 30, 2006)companion channel window (6:00 pm June 30, 2006)– Electronically file FCC Form 346 (February 2005 Electronically file FCC Form 346 (February 2005
version)version)
May make other facilities changes if analog and May make other facilities changes if analog and digital contours overlapdigital contours overlap
Digital station
protected contour
Analog station protected contour
May file for replacement channel (displacement) and digital conversion in same application
Flash Cut
Companion Channel
Detour - D/A Converter Box
To Digital Transition’s End
45
Companion Channel
Analog
Companion Channel
45
27
Analog
Digital
Digital Companion Channel Filing Window Digital Companion Channel Filing Window June 19-30, 2006June 19-30, 2006
Digital companion channel paired with station’s Digital companion channel paired with station’s analog channelanalog channel– Must eventually give back one of the paired Must eventually give back one of the paired
channels per future FCC determinationchannels per future FCC determination
Nationwide window (U.S. & its territories)Nationwide window (U.S. & its territories)
Eligibility restricted to permittees & licensees of TV Eligibility restricted to permittees & licensees of TV translator, LPTV and Class A stationstranslator, LPTV and Class A stations
Stations with digital licenses, permits or pending Stations with digital licenses, permits or pending applications related to flash-cutting are not eligible applications related to flash-cutting are not eligible for a companion channelfor a companion channel
Digital Companion Channel Filing Window Digital Companion Channel Filing Window June 19-30, 2006June 19-30, 2006
File electronically as minor change – no filing feeFile electronically as minor change – no filing fee
File FCC Form 175 + technical data from File FCC Form 175 + technical data from – Form 346 (LPTV & translator applicants) orForm 346 (LPTV & translator applicants) or– Form 301-CA (Class A applicants filing for an LPTV Form 301-CA (Class A applicants filing for an LPTV
digital channel)digital channel)
May operate paired analog and digital facilities May operate paired analog and digital facilities at different locations provided some overlap of at different locations provided some overlap of analog and digital protected contoursanalog and digital protected contours
Digital station
protected contour
Analog station protected contour
Flash Cut
Companion Channel
Detour - D/A Converter Box
To Digital Transition’s End
D/A Converter Box
45
Digital in Analog out
Digital signal input to analog signal output
Digital Transition’s End
Where digital’s the only game in town !
HDTV
Digital
Digital Conversion of TV Translator, LPTV & Digital Conversion of TV Translator, LPTV & Class A Stations Class A Stations (per the FCC’s Digital LPTV Report (per the FCC’s Digital LPTV Report
& Order)& Order)
Based on Section 309(j)(14) and 336(f)(4) of Based on Section 309(j)(14) and 336(f)(4) of Communications Act Communications Act (as of September 2004)(as of September 2004)– stations must ultimately cease analog transmissionsstations must ultimately cease analog transmissions– FCC may set more distant analog shutoff date than that for full-FCC may set more distant analog shutoff date than that for full-
service stations service stations
A later date would be less disruptive to communities A later date would be less disruptive to communities served by translator, LPTV and Class A stationsserved by translator, LPTV and Class A stationsGoal of “achieving transition end-date at, or soon after, Goal of “achieving transition end-date at, or soon after, the end-date of the full-service transition” the end-date of the full-service transition” (then 12/31/06)(then 12/31/06)Analog shutoff date will be considered in FCC’s next Analog shutoff date will be considered in FCC’s next DTV periodic review, DTV periodic review, unless preempted by unless preempted by Congressional actionCongressional action
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005Deficit Reduction Act of 2005(Digital Television Transition and (Digital Television Transition and
Public Safety Act of 2005)Public Safety Act of 2005)
Section 3002 Analog Spectrum RecoverySection 3002 Analog Spectrum Recovery(b)(b) Termination of Analog Licenses and Termination of Analog Licenses and
Broadcasting – The Federal Communications Broadcasting – The Federal Communications Commission shall take such actions as are Commission shall take such actions as are necessary --necessary --(1) to terminate all licenses for full-power television (1) to terminate all licenses for full-power television
stations in the analog TV service, and to require stations in the analog TV service, and to require the cessation of broadcasting by full-power the cessation of broadcasting by full-power stations in the analog television service by stations in the analog television service by February 18, 2009; andFebruary 18, 2009; and
Section 3002 (Continued) Section 3002 (Continued)
(2) to require by February 18, 2009, that all (2) to require by February 18, 2009, that all broadcasting by Class A stations, whether in the broadcasting by Class A stations, whether in the analog television service or digital television analog television service or digital television service, occur only on channels between channels service, occur only on channels between channels 2 and 36, inclusive, or 38 and 51, inclusive…2 and 36, inclusive, or 38 and 51, inclusive…
Section 336(f)(4) of Comm ActSection 336(f)(4) of Comm Act
(4)(4) ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR ADVANCED ISSUANCE OF LICENSES FOR ADVANCED TELEVISION SERVICES TO TELEVISION TELEVISION SERVICES TO TELEVISION TRANSLATOR STATIONS AND QUALIFYING LOW-TRANSLATOR STATIONS AND QUALIFYING LOW-POWER TELEVISION STATIONS…POWER TELEVISION STATIONS…
Such new license or the original license of the Such new license or the original license of the applicant shall be forfeited after the end of the digital applicant shall be forfeited after the end of the digital television transition period, television transition period, as determined by the as determined by the CommissionCommission. A licensee of a low power television . A licensee of a low power television station or television translator station may, at the station or television translator station may, at the option of the licensee, elect to convert to the provision option of the licensee, elect to convert to the provision of advanced television services on its analog channel, of advanced television services on its analog channel, but shall not be required to convert to digital but shall not be required to convert to digital until the until the end such transition periodend such transition period..
Digital Translator & Digital Translator & LPTV TransitionLPTV Transition
9/04
Digital rules for LPTV service
1997/98
DTV rules & allotments, first stations
2/09
Full power transition end date
“Flash cut” filing starts
10/05
Digital Companion Filing Window
6/06
Transition end date for LPTV and Class A services
?
So, what do you do? So, what do you do?
The flash-cut approach?The flash-cut approach?– Financial and technical resources to convert to Financial and technical resources to convert to
digital? digital? – Viewers who can receive digital signals? Viewers who can receive digital signals? – Existing channels to spare for digital? Existing channels to spare for digital?
What to do? What to do?
The companion channel approach?The companion channel approach?– Available channels?Available channels?– Resources to construct and begin operating the Resources to construct and begin operating the
companion digital stations?companion digital stations?
– Sufficient time with dual analog & digital operation for Sufficient time with dual analog & digital operation for DTV receiver penetration levels to build in the DTV receiver penetration levels to build in the community community (e.g., as people replace old TV sets with (e.g., as people replace old TV sets with those with digital tuners or acquire sets more quickly those with digital tuners or acquire sets more quickly
to watch your digital channels)?to watch your digital channels)?
What to do?What to do?
Digital-to-analog conversion at the translator?Digital-to-analog conversion at the translator?– Ensures continuity of TV service until the majority of Ensures continuity of TV service until the majority of
your viewers are equipped to receive digital signals, your viewers are equipped to receive digital signals, up until when you may be required to flash-cut up until when you may be required to flash-cut
– After 2009, you After 2009, you mightmight be able to find channels to be able to find channels to enable dual analog & digital DTV rebroadcasts for enable dual analog & digital DTV rebroadcasts for some period of time, if permitted by the Commissionsome period of time, if permitted by the Commission
You Must Choose the Road to Your You Must Choose the Road to Your Digital ConversionDigital Conversion
Digital Station ConstructionDigital Station Construction
Time to constructTime to construct
Translator modes of operationTranslator modes of operation
Transmitter requirementsTransmitter requirements
Modification of existing analog Modification of existing analog equipment for digital operationequipment for digital operation
Digital Station ConstructionDigital Station Construction
Three years to build station from issuance of Three years to build station from issuance of construction permitconstruction permitExtension of time may be granted when delay is Extension of time may be granted when delay is justified (for example, due to equipment, work justified (for example, due to equipment, work crews or zoning delays or demonstrated financial crews or zoning delays or demonstrated financial inability)inability)Media Bureau may grant two six months Media Bureau may grant two six months extensions; further extensions require action by extensions; further extensions require action by the full Commission the full Commission
Digital Translator ModesDigital Translator Modes
Both types are permitted – regenerative is preferred
Regenerative Signal Processor
Heterodyne Signal Processor
DTV Input Translator Output
Digital Power LimitsDigital Power Limits
ChannelsChannels Heterodyne Heterodyne Output Output PowerPower
Effective Effective Radiated Radiated PowerPower
2-62-6 3 watts3 watts 300 watts300 watts
7-137-13 3 watts3 watts 300 watts300 watts
14-6914-69 30 watts30 watts 15,000 watts15,000 watts
Signal CoverageSignal Coverage
UHF digital translator: 1000’ above average terrain
X13 mi
51 dBuF(50,90) =
25 watts
Transmitter RequirementsTransmitter Requirements
New digital translator and LPTV transmitters must be FCC certificated
Transmitter Performance Criteria Transmitter Performance Criteria for Certificationfor Certification
Output signal that can be satisfactorily viewed Output signal that can be satisfactorily viewed on receivers designed for FCC 8-VSB DTV on receivers designed for FCC 8-VSB DTV transmission standardtransmission standard
Heterodyne translator output power must not Heterodyne translator output power must not vary by more than 1 dB for input signal strength vary by more than 1 dB for input signal strength variations up to 30 dBvariations up to 30 dB
Digital average output power must not exceed Digital average output power must not exceed maximum rated value under any conditionmaximum rated value under any condition
Digital power meteringDigital power metering
Transmitter Performance Criteria Transmitter Performance Criteria for Certificationfor Certification
Out-of-channel emissions at output terminals Out-of-channel emissions at output terminals (including all output filtering) meet at least the (including all output filtering) meet at least the attenuation requirements of the “simple” maskattenuation requirements of the “simple” mask
Local oscillator frequency of RF upconverter Local oscillator frequency of RF upconverter must be maintained within 10 kHzmust be maintained within 10 kHz– Temperature range between 0 and 40Temperature range between 0 and 40ºº CentigradeCentigrade– Main power supply voltage variations between 85 and Main power supply voltage variations between 85 and
115 percent115 percent
GPS Protection From 2GPS Protection From 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd Harmonic EmissionsHarmonic Emissions
GPS frequency bands: 1164-1215 MHz, 1215-GPS frequency bands: 1164-1215 MHz, 1215-1240 MHz and 1559-1610 MHz1240 MHz and 1559-1610 MHz
Affects only TV channels 22-24, 32-36, 38 and Affects only TV channels 22-24, 32-36, 38 and 65-6965-69
For FCC certification, transmitter must employ For FCC certification, transmitter must employ filtering that attenuates harmonic emissions in filtering that attenuates harmonic emissions in the GPS bands by at least 85 dBthe GPS bands by at least 85 dB
Modification of Transmission SystemsModification of Transmission Systems
Permit modification of existing analog Permit modification of existing analog equipment for digital transmissions (equipment for digital transmissions (e.g.e.g., , final RF amplifiers)final RF amplifiers)– FCC certificated manufacturer field FCC certificated manufacturer field
modification kits, including installation and modification kits, including installation and testing procedures and new FCC transmitter testing procedures and new FCC transmitter identifier labelidentifier label
– Custom modifications also permittedCustom modifications also permitted
Modification of Transmission SystemsModification of Transmission Systems
Heterodyne output power limits must not be Heterodyne output power limits must not be exceededexceeded
Digital output power may not exceed 25% of Digital output power may not exceed 25% of previous peak sync NTSC output power unless previous peak sync NTSC output power unless power amplifier has been replaced or retrofitted for power amplifier has been replaced or retrofitted for higher power operationhigher power operation
Transmitter must be performance-tested and Transmitter must be performance-tested and demonstrated to comply with transmitter certification demonstrated to comply with transmitter certification requirementsrequirements
Modification of Transmission SystemsModification of Transmission Systems
Station licensee must notify FCC upon completion Station licensee must notify FCC upon completion of modifications (and certify that any custom of modifications (and certify that any custom modifications comply with technical requirements)modifications comply with technical requirements)
Licensee must maintain records of the nature of the Licensee must maintain records of the nature of the modifications, test procedures and results for period modifications, test procedures and results for period of two yearsof two years
GPS Protection From 2GPS Protection From 2ndnd and 3 and 3rdrd Harmonic EmissionsHarmonic Emissions
On channels where protection is required, an On channels where protection is required, an external filter with at least 85 dB attenuation in external filter with at least 85 dB attenuation in the GPS bands may be field-installed on an the GPS bands may be field-installed on an existing transmitterexisting transmitter
Field measurements of the second or third Field measurements of the second or third harmonic output of transmitters so equipped are harmonic output of transmitters so equipped are not required not required
Equivalent Mask Compliance for Digital Equivalent Mask Compliance for Digital Conversion of Analog Transmitter Conversion of Analog Transmitter
Total Average In-Channel Power
6 MHz Channel
46 dB down is required
6 dB
For example: a 6 dB shortfall at shelves of simple mask
Equivalent Mask Compliance for Digital Equivalent Mask Compliance for Digital Conversion of Analog TransmitterConversion of Analog Transmitter
800 wAnalog ERP
200 w
Equivalent nominal digital ERP – 6 db below analog ERP
50 wEquivalent digital ERP for mask compliance
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Up & Running
Digital Station OperationDigital Station Operation
Unattended Unattended operation operation No minimum hours of operation
No required station identification at present
Operations on Channels 52-69Operations on Channels 52-69
Must cease use of channels 60-69 per public safety Must cease use of channels 60-69 per public safety coordinated use agreement, coordinated use agreement, but can now operate but can now operate after the end of the full-power station transition if no after the end of the full-power station transition if no public safety or commercial wireless issuespublic safety or commercial wireless issues
Existing or future wireless licensee may serve Existing or future wireless licensee may serve digital translator or LPTV licensee a notice of digital translator or LPTV licensee a notice of potential conflict within 120 days before potential conflict within 120 days before commencing new or modified operationcommencing new or modified operation
Channels 52-59Channels 52-59
Digital translator or LPTV station must cease Digital translator or LPTV station must cease operating within 120 days of receiving notice unless operating within 120 days of receiving notice unless – start of wireless service is delayedstart of wireless service is delayed– agreement is reached with wireless licensee or agreement is reached with wireless licensee or – FCC request for stay is grantedFCC request for stay is granted
Station licensee may seek replacement channel on Station licensee may seek replacement channel on a priority basis a priority basis
Permitted Digital Translator Permitted Digital Translator Signal Alterations Signal Alterations
Limited local insertionsLimited local insertions– Emergency warning messagesEmergency warning messages– Public service announcements & messages related to Public service announcements & messages related to
funding translator operations; not to exceed 30 funding translator operations; not to exceed 30 seconds per hourseconds per hour
Necessary adjustment of PSIP informationNecessary adjustment of PSIP informationMultiplexing of two or more DTV stations on Multiplexing of two or more DTV stations on single output channel per agreements with all single output channel per agreements with all affected stationsaffected stations
Hybrid Translator Rebroadcasts & Hybrid Translator Rebroadcasts & Program Origination Are PermissibleProgram Origination Are Permissible
Digital station must be licensed as an LPTVDigital station must be licensed as an LPTV
Should be closely coordinated with your primary Should be closely coordinated with your primary DTV station to match video formatsDTV station to match video formats
Use portion of the bit stream for rebroadcast and Use portion of the bit stream for rebroadcast and remaining bits for a locally inserted program remaining bits for a locally inserted program stream(s)stream(s)– As examples: local weather updates, school As examples: local weather updates, school
announcements and events, adult education classesannouncements and events, adult education classes
HDTV WondersHDTV Wonders
My very best wishes as My very best wishes as you bring digital TV to you bring digital TV to
your communitiesyour communities
